Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Local heavyweights like Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom and Lyndhurst Stud Farm’s Better Than Ready are prominently featured, accounting for a notable 18.11 per cent of the catalogue with a total of 71 offerings. But the diversity doesn't end there. The catalogue boasts a range of offerings, including the likes of Hellbent, Alabama Express, and Pierata.
To delve deeper into what attendees can expect, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Magic Millions bloodstock manager Dane Robinson. His insights shed light on the intricacies of the sale and the gems awaiting discerning buyers.
Hitting above its weight
The Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale has consistently proven to be a lucrative opportunity for buyers who navigate it successfully in March.
Among its standout graduates is Apache Chase (Better Than Ready), a victor of the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup. Purchased for a mere $50,000 by Michael Sherrin, Apache Chase retired with earnings exceeding $2 million, exemplifying the exceptional value found within the sale's offerings.
Apache Chase | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Statistically, the Magic Millions team has conducted an analysis indicating that buyers who acquired every yearling from the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale between the years of 2016 and 2021, including the passed-in lots at reserve price, would have enjoyed a remarkable return of 78.3 per cent in prizemoney earnings compared to their aggregate spend.
This data underscores the sale's reputation for delivering substantial returns on investment.
Moreover, from 2019 to 2023, graduates of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale have collectively provided over 700 individual winners on the racetrack, further solidifying its status as a premier event in the racing calendar.
Inspections at the Gold Coast March Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“The Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale is pound for pound the best value sale in Australia. Every year, Magic Millions creates a research document from Arion that breaks down the success of the sale graduates,” Robinson told The Thoroughbred Report.
“These reports show what the aggregate for the respective sale was and what the prizemoney earnings have been for the graduates of the sale. In our latest document, it showed that if you purchased every horse from the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale from these editions, you’d be in front by 78.3 per cent.
“In our latest document, it showed that if you purchased every horse from the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale from these editions (2016-2021), you’d be in front by 78.3 per cent.” - Dane Robinson
“It was a lot of work because we had to actually go through and record what the horses passed in for and what their reserves were. So, we also included the passed-in horses' earnings.
“We used the years from 2016 to 2021 as an example because they are more relevant. But also, those sold in 2021 are now 4-year-olds and have given every horse a chance to run a benchmark and be of racing age rather than just basing it around 2-year-olds.
“It was really interesting because the price point you’re getting into these horses is actually really economical in terms of the price point they’re racing for.”
“It (aggregate including reserves compared to prizemoney earnt) was really interesting because the price point you’re getting into these (Gold Coast March) horses is actually really economical in terms of the price point they’re racing for.” - Dane Robinson
The Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale provides opportunity for buyers on all levels of the market. The 2023 edition of the race saw an average price of $35,541, while in 2022 and 2021 the average sat at $39,256 and $44,329, respectively.
QTIS bonuses
Owners who race Queensland-bred horses in the state have been reaping the rewards of the lucrative QTIS scheme. QTIS eligible horses stand to win an impressive $13 million in bonuses. Fillies can compete for a hefty $85,000 on Saturday races, while colts are eligible for $74,000 in Saturday metro races.
In addition to these generous bonuses, QTIS eligible horses also have the opportunity to participate in prestigious events such as the $2 million QTIS Jewel Raceday, the $1.5 million Magic Millions QTIS Open, and the $750,000 King of the Mountain.
Dane Robinson | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Of particular interest this year is the inclusion of a free registration for the QTIS Bonus, available to all Queensland-bred horses. This initiative further enhances the appeal and accessibility of the scheme, encouraging greater participation and engagement from owners and breeders alike.
Robinson believes that the lucrative bonus scheme should encourage buyers to take a closer look at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
“Owners are racing on Saturday for QTIS bonuses of up to $85,000 for fillies and $74,000 for colts. The filly average at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale has hovered around $40,000, so you win double that back on just the QTIS bonus if she’s successful.
“Owners are racing on Saturday for QTIS bonuses of up to $85,000 for fillies and $74,000 for colts. The filly average at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale has hovered around $40,000, so you win double that back on just the QTIS bonus if she’s successful.” - Dane Robinson
“Plus, it isn’t just the QTIS races, but you've also got the Magic Million races and bonuses.”
Queensland graduates
Time and time again, season after season, Queensland-bred horses and graduates of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale demonstrate their prowess across Australia.
Joining Apache Chase as graduates of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale are other outstanding gallopers like Prince Of Boom, sired by Spirit Of Boom, a $20,000 purchase. Prince Of Boom has clinched victory in eight races, including two Group 2s, amassing over $1 million in prizemoney.
Another standout is Keshi Boom (Spirit Of Boom), a star Western Australian filly, who is an unbeaten Group 3 winner and a $120,000 purchase from the sale.
Keshi Boom | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Master Jamie (Poet’s Voice {GB}) may not have won at the stakes level, but he boasts an impressive record with 18 victories, earning over $1 million. Remarkably, he could have been acquired for just $10,000.
Yet another success story from the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale is Exo Lady (Exosphere), she was a $50,000 purchase by Rita Giltrow from the draft of Glenlogan Park. Exo Lady triumphed in the Listed Calaway Gal S. and the Listed Dalrello S., accumulating over $400,000 in track earnings.
Exo Lady was then reoffered by Kenmore Lodge at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale, where Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) secured her for $400,000. Subsequently, Exo Lady was served by Widden Stud’s esteemed sire Zoustar in the spring.
Exo Lady selling for $400,000 as a breeding prospect | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“You’re not going to find the January pedigree, but you’re going to find solid racehorses, and that’s been proven across the country. Not only graduates of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale but Queensland-bred horses as a whole have proven incredibly successful.
“Only recently, you’ve had Chrysaor win a Group 2 in Sydney, Jonker winning the G1 Manikato S. and now standing in the state at Aquis.
Chrysaor (white cap) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Queensland bred horses are performing well across the country. Predominantly, the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale catalogue is made up of Queensland-bred horses, and they most certainly punch above their weight.
“We also saw Exo Lady, a $50,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale sell for $400,000 and was served by a highly commercial stallion in Zoustar.
“There’s opportunities there for people who want to come and do a little bit of homework. Buyers can come from all across the country, do some homework and buy at this sale at a very reasonable entry point, which I think is the main thing here.
“Buyers can come from all across the country, do some homework and buy at this sale at a very reasonable entry point, which I think is the main thing here.” - Dane Robinson
“In terms of what’s on offer prizemoney wise, so you don’t have to go spend the hundreds, you can come here in March and spend $40/$50,000, find a really nice horse and be happy going home and give others a good time at a comfortable price.”
Market expectations
Robinson and Magic Millions team are under no illusion that it has been a testing time for certain markets this year due to economic conditions. They are relying on a strong group of domestic buyers to make their presence felt at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
However, Robinson would like to encourage interstate buyers to consider the sale.
“I think the domestic market will be good. Tony Gollan, Chris Munce, Proven Thoroughbreds, First Light Racing among others have been active at this sale in the past and sourced quality stock.
The Instructor | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“First Light Racing co-signed with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing for The Instructor, a son of Russian Revolution, who won the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings).
“Chris Munce signed $45,000 for Boomsara, under Munce Racing. He won the G3 Vo Rogue Plate and over $1 million in prizemoney. There’s been a lot of examples.
“I think the results will give buyers confidence. We’ve been punching the phones trying to find other buyers here and make sure they’re aware and they’re booked in and everything. We’re confident that we’ll get the usual here.
Boomsara (yellow cap) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It’s just a case of how much the usual suspects are willing to participate, how many they’re looking to buy and that’s probably going to be the million-dollar question.
“But in terms of getting the people on the ground and engaged, it’s as much as ever. Just how much they’re willing to participate. Probably the last few sales have shown there’s a few holes in the market, and we’re under no false presumptions about that.
“We are confident anyone can come and source a horse from the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale that can perform anywhere in Australia.
“We are confident anyone can come and source a horse from the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale that can perform anywhere in Australia.” - Dane Robinson
“It's like it is being a little bit domesticated, but we're trying to push it so that it's actually anyone can come find a source here and it can perform.”
